Woven Spirit | Podcast Episode 6
Episode Six: Transformative Spiritual Belonging with Chief Robert Joseph
In this episode, host Jodi Bob welcomes revered guest, Chief Robert Joseph, known also by his ancestral name KwinKwinXaLigedzi Wakaas, which translates to Big Thunderbird Awesome River.
Featuring Guest KwinKwinXaLigedzi Wakaas Chief Robert Joseph
Gwawaenuk Tribe from Kwakwakáwakw Nation
Chief Robert Joseph, O.B.C, O.C., is a peace-builder who has devoted his life to promoting reconciliation among Canada’s Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples. A hereditary chief of the Gwawaenuk First Nation, he is a survivor of the residential school system and helped found Reconciliation Canada, for which he is now an ambassador. He sits on the National Assembly of First Nations Elders Council and chairs the Native American Leadership Alliance for Peace and Reconciliation. He is also peace and reconciliation ambassador with the Interreligious and International Federation for World Peace (IFWP), where he engages with international leaders to learn from and share his understanding of faith, hope, healing and reconciliation. He holds many awards and honours, including SFU’s Jack P. Blaney Award for Dialogue as well as The Order of British Columbia and Order of Canada.
Chief Robert Joseph shares his profound insights into the evolving relationship between generations and the imperative of passing on traditions and wisdom to the young. He speaks eloquently about the challenges faced through colonization, the erasure of indigenous identity, and the resurgence of cultural pride and authenticity among young indigenous people today.
He also discusses his book ‘Namwayut’, which emphasizes unity and the need for coexistence and mutual respect among all peoples on Turtle Island. Chief Robert delves into the impacts of trauma from residential schools and the ongoing journey of healing and reconciliation.
Listeners will be moved by Chief Robert Joseph’s personal anecdotes. He recounts transformative moments in his life, such as the vision he experienced during a time of deep personal struggle. This vision, where he felt a powerful connection to the natural world, helped turn his life around, filling him with a renewed sense of purpose and belonging. He shares the emotional journey from feeling broken to finding strength and community through love and cultural heritage.
Hear his reflections on the power of acknowledgment and understanding trauma, a pivotal realization that shifted his outlook on life and began his healing process. Chief Robert Joseph’s stories highlight the resilience of the human spirit and the power of acknowledging one's past while building a brighter future.
Don’t miss this heartfelt episode, filled with messages of courage and the vital need for dialogue, connection, and understanding in these transformative times.
If you feel triggered by the content of this episode, please know that support is always available at our 24/7 crisis line at 1-800-721-0066.
This project was undertaken with the financial support of Parks Canada / Ce projet a été réalisé avec l'appui financier de Parcs Canada.